Prevalence of gluten-sensitive celiac disease in women with reproductive dysfunction

Aim. To determine prevalence of gluten-sensitive celiac disease (GSCD) in women with reproductive dysfunction (RD). Material and methods. Tests for blood serum antibodies to tissue transglutaminase (ABtTG) of IgA class were made in 217 women with RD. Tests for antibodies to gliadin (ABG) were performed in 180 of them. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS) with biopsy to verify GSCD was conducted in patients with elevated ABtTG. The control group consisted of 15 healthy females of a reproductive age. Results. The examinees exhibited IgA ABtTG in the range 1 to 280 IU/ml, while 16 of them had elevated level - 50.2 ± 194 IU/ml, on the average. The controls had 0-10 IU/ml level of ABtTG, mean level 4.3±1.5 IU/ml. EGDS with duodenobiopsy was performed in 14 women. The examination of biopsies from small intestinal mucosa has detected pathohistological signs of celiac disease in 7 of 14 women. At the moment of the study two women with a history of spontaneous abortion were pregnant. Their ABtTG was 21.7 and 15.9 IU/mg, respectively, EGDS was not performed because of potential pregnancy complication but in view of possible celiac disease they received recommendations on aglutenic diet. Conclusion. Incidence rate of GSCD in women with RD is 4,1%. Aglutenic diet in GSCD women with RD contributes to reproductive function recovery and normal outcome of pregnancy. Elevation of ABtTG titers in women with RD is an indication to histological examination of small intestinal mucosa to detect GSCD.